March 13 - City of Irving, Texas

City Council Meeting
March 13, 2008
Strategic Goal No. 3: Economic Development
Department Recognition – The Planning and Inspections Department was presented the 2007
Award of Excellence for large jurisdictions by the Building Officials Association of Texas (BOAT) at
its annual business meeting in College Station. This award is for outstanding contributions to the
building profession and the community. Lawrence Crow, field operations manager, was elected to
the BOAT board of directors for the coming year, and Gary Miller, planning and inspections director,
was selected as Texas Building Official of the year.
Irving Businesses Recognized – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as part of its annual search
for the best small businesses in the country, has selected Mammen Glass and Mirror as a regional
finalist for its Small Business of the Year award. In addition, four other Irving small businesses were
designated as Blue Ribbon finalists in the competition: Big State Drug Store, FASTSIGNS, Glory
House Catering and Joe’s Coffee Shop. The companies were selected based upon financial
performance, business history, staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer
service and business planning. Irving had the most Blue Ribbon winners of any city in the United
States. The national Small Business of the Year award will be announced at the Small Business
Summit in Washington, D.C. on April 17.
Best Real Estate Deals of 2007 – Two Irving projects were named the Best Real Estate Deals of
2007 by the Dallas Business Journal. Maxim Integrated Products was designated “Best Industrial
Deal in Existing Space” for its purchase of the 624,000-square-foot facility in Las Colinas. Maxim
will create 1,000 new jobs in Irving. Research in Motion (RIM), the maker of the BlackBerry wireless
device, won “Best Headquarters or Corporate Campus Move” for locating its U.S. headquarters in
Las Colinas. RIM is expected to grow its employee base to 1,000 over the next few years.
ICVB Recognized – The staff of The Hyland Group, one of the premier sales and marketing firms
for the hospitality industry, selected the Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) as its 2007
Hyland Group Most Valued Partner. ICVB staff members were recognized for their outstanding
dedication, work ethic and compassion toward clients. In announcing the award, Peter Hyland,
president of The Hyland Group stated, “The staff at the ICVB consistently demonstrates a level of
commitment and professionalism that makes our working relationship mutually productive and
gratifying.”
Chamber Hosts Author of Bestselling Business Book – Keith McFarland, author of the
bestselling business book, “Breakthrough Companies, How Everyday Companies Become
Extraordinary Performers,” is being hosted by the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of
Commerce’s Workforce Enrichment Council at its Spring Leadership Conference on March 19.
Three companies with a presence in Irving are featured in the book: Express Personnel Services,
Fastenal and Paychex. The book was the result of McFarland’s research of more than 7,000 highgrowth
companies over the past 15 years. Since release, the book has been named the “No. 1
National Bestseller” by the Wall Street Journal and USA Today. U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions
is scheduled to introduce McFarland at the breakfast.
Groups in Irving – The Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomed the following groups to
Irving: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Feb. 25-28); Zale Outlet Managers (Feb. 25-29);
State Farm Insurance Companies-Dallas (Feb. 26-28); National Association of Housing and
Redevelopment Officials (Feb. 26-28); Planco Inc. (Feb. 26-29); Frank Glazier Football Clinics Inc.
(Feb. 28-March 2); Assemblies of God (Feb. 29-March 2); Hotsos (March 1-7); Swett and Crawford
Group (March 3-5); American Heart Association (March 3-6); State Bar of Texas (March 6-7);
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